Yeshaya Perek 40

“Youths may weary and tire and young men may constantly falter. However, those whose hope is in Hashem will regenerate strength, they will grow a wing like an eagle; they will run and will not tire, they will go and they will not become exhausted.”

When Amalek attacked Bnei Yisrael when they came out of Egypt, Moshe went to the top of the mountain and raised his arms. The passuk says: “והיה כשאר ירים משה את ידו וגבר ישראל”… – “When Moshe raised his hands Bnei Yisrael overpowered Amalek, but when they were down, Amalek began to win.” The Mishna in Rosh Hashana questions if the hands of Moshe could cause people to win and lose battles, and answers that when Moshe’s hands were raised, Bnei Yisrael looked heavenwards and would re-accept upon themselves ‘ol malchus shamayim’, and in this way would overpower Amalek.

Our pesukim here reflect this. When Amalek attacked Bnei Yisrael, the passuk describes the condition of Bnei Yisrael as: “עיף ויגע ולא ירא אלוקים – Tired and exhausted and not fearing Hashem”. Thus they were in a state ofויעפו נערים ויגעו ובחורים כשול יכשלו: and thus Amalek were able to attack. However, as soon as Moshe raised his arms and Bnei Yisrael looked heavenward and reaccepted ‘ol malchus shomayim’, they were suddenly transformed into ‘קוי ה’ – those who place their trust and hopes in Hashem.’ Thus, they were no longer tired and exhausted; they regenerated strength and defeated Amalek.

We find a hint to this in Parshas Yisro. When Bnei Yisrael journeyed from Refidim (where Amalek attacked the Bnei Yisrael) to Har Sinai, Hashem says: “ואשא אתכם על כנפי נשרים – I carried you on eagles wings.” Hashem was alluding to the יעלו אבר כנשרים, the regenerated strength they gained after the battle with Amalek.

May we merit to experience the fulfillment of the passuk which describes Bnei Yisrael’s final redemption while the surrounding nations stumble and tire. Bnei Yisrael will regenerate strength because of their trust in Hashem.